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nnANKLrNc. BUsHwAx, or LINCOLN, AssiGNon or ONE-HALF nis lueur 'ro .nicx'soN HUKILL, or TAzEwELL co-UNTY, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN v e@l-iAvla-"rmai..rars;

Specification forming part of Letters PateifitNo'.l 'llgv'logdated-November' 1877;; application filed.`

September 4, 1.877,4 Y.

in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grave-Tablets 5 and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specication. Y

Figure l of the drawings represents a plan or top view of my grave-tablet; and Fig. 2, a side view, partly in section.

My invention consists of a rectangular box, open at the-bottom, having a heavy tabulated cover on the top, composed of a single piece, (except as to the inserted marble tablet,) manufactured from materials in a soft condition, which set quickly, and, when set, will resist the influences of weather and climate, a hereinafter set forth.

Figs. l and 2 of the drawings annexed represent my improved grave-tablet, which is a rectangular box with a tabulated cover, C, made entire, the box and the cover forming but one piece.

The perpendicular sides of the box may have two or more panels each, and the ends one each, as matters of ornament, and forthe purpose of lessening the weight'of the tablet, as seen at letters c c.

Each side of the tablet is provided with two holes opposite each other, and one at each end opposite each other, as seen at b Z, of any requisite size, say from three-eights to threefourths of an inch in diameter, which holes serve a double purpose of ventilation, and for thrusting through iron rods, the better to handle the tablet in shipping and in placing it over the grave.

The inserted marble tablet B (seen in Fig. l) may be of any size or desired shape. Superscriptions are lettered therein, which may be done before or after the tablet is manufactured. It is beveled, as seen in the drawing, on all sides, so as to be rmly held in the middle of the upper part of the tablet, the upper surface being the smallest.

' I construct my tablet of Portland cement,

(or Milwaukee cement, of any other Having? thesame qualities'- as thevPortland,-)= sand, siii-j lcate of soda in solution, and sometimes-salt, j in the following proportions, viz: Portland cement, thirty per cent.; sand, sixty-ve per cent.; silicate of soda in solution, ve per cent. When the sand has soil in it I, addveight to ten per cent. of ne salt. When the sand is clean andfree from' soil, I omit the salt. I sometimes find it necessary to vary a little the proportions of sand and cement, according to circumstances. v

The mixing and consistency of the materials are veryimportant. Imixthe-cement and sand, when dry, very thoroughly. To these I then add my solution of soda, or soda and salt, as the sand may require, and about thirty per cent. of water, then mix thoroughly till it is reduced to a true homogeneous mass. When ready for use it must be only damp enough' so that when taken in the hand and pressed it will not shovr much moisture.

I manufacture my tablet upside down, so as to receive the mixture. I place the molds upside down and fasten securely. In the central part of the bottom of the mold so placed I place the marble tablet C, also upside down, so that the ,narrower surface-that which is to be thel real surface when the article is finished-shall be down. I then adjust a wooden heart or core within the molds, leaving the intended spaces for the reception of the mixture below the core, and at both its sides and ends. The core is firmly secured in its place by clamps or other approved mode.

Whenthe molds are ready for the mixture, I ill the molds gradually, tamping all the time very hard. When filled to the place where the holes should be for ventilation and handling, I thrust plugs through the molds in holes made for that purpose. I then complete the filling of the molds, tamping all the time very hard. I then add water until the Whole gets well set.

In about four hours I remove the core, letting vthe outside molds remain forty-eight hours, which are then removed. In this condition I leave the tablet undisturbed, just as and where it was cast, for six days, when I turn it over and the bottom becomes the top.

Thetop mold beingremoved discovers the novir insertedlmarble tablet evenV with the'bal` ance of the surface,as shown in the drawing.

The compound aforesaid, of which I manufacture my grave-tablet, becomes harder the longer it s exposed to the air. It is impervious to Water. l It resists equally the most intense heat and the severest cold.

My tablet may be manufactured in a shop, Where sand may be stored and kept dry, or outof-doors, if necessary, in good weather. It is readily shipped and easily handled, With little danger of breaking.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein-described rectangular hollow grave tablet, composed of artificial stone, molded or formed in one piece, and having the parallel sides and ends and the top C, substantially as specied. n

2. The herein-described hollow grave-tablet, y

provided withv the holes b, for` handling and ing an intermolded marble tablet in the middle of the top thereof, substantially as and for the purposes above set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of August, 1877.. A A y FRANKLIN C. BUSHWAY.

Witnesses:

, STEPHEN A. FoLEY,`

LELAND HEAD. 

